Dispenser, kit and mixing adapter

Abstract

A system includes a source of at least a first component, and a mixer having an inlet coupled to the source of at least a first component and an outlet, the mixer including at least one mixing device and a source of at least a second component disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The at least one mixing device includes a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough. The at least one mixing device has physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity. Also disclosed are a kit defined by the source and the mixer, in the form of a mixer adapter, and the mixer adapter alone.

1 . A system comprising:
 a source of at least a first component; and   a mixer having an inlet coupled to the source of at least a first component and an outlet, the mixer including at least one mixing device and a source of at least a second component disposed between the inlet and the outlet,   the at least one mixing device comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough,   the at least one mixing device having physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer comprises a barrier and the at least one mixing device, the barrier and the at least one mixing device spaced from each other along a passageway between the inlet and the outlet to define a volume therebetween with the source of at least a second component disposed in the volume. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the barrier comprises a mixing device, the mixing device comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and having physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the source of at least a second component is freeze-dried in the volume. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer comprises a single mixing device with the source of at least a second component immobilized therein. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the source of at least a second component is freeze-dried inside the plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages of the mixing device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the source of at least a second component is adsorbed to the surface of the plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages of the mixing device. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second mixing device has a K value within the range of about 5 to 1000, as measured by Darcy's Law:
     K=Q*η*L /( S*ΔP )   where Q=flow rate of the combined fluid stream,   η=viscosity of the more viscous of the first and second components,   L=thickness of the second mixing device,   S=surface area of the second mixing device, and   ΔP=change in pressure across the second mixing device.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first component is fibrinogen and the second component is thrombin. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of at least a first component comprises a first component and a third component. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of at least a second component comprises a second component and a third component. 
     
     
         12 . A dispenser kit comprising:
 a source of at least a first component; and   a mixer adapter having an inlet adapted to be coupled to the source of at least a first component and an outlet, the mixer adapter including at least one mixing device and a source of at least a second component disposed between the inlet and the outlet,   the at least one mixing device comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough,   the at least one mixing device having physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity.   
     
     
         13 . The dispenser kit of  claim 12 , wherein the mixer adapter comprises a barrier and the at least one mixing device, the barrier and the at least one mixing device spaced from each other along a passageway between the inlet and the outlet to define a volume therebetween with the source of at least a second component disposed in the volume. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser kit of  claim 13 , wherein the barrier comprises a mixing device, the mixing device comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and having physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser kit of  claim 12 , wherein the mixer comprises a single mixing device with the source of at least a second component immobilized therein. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser kit of  claim 15 , wherein the source of at least a second component is freeze-dried inside the plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages of the mixing device. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser kit of  claim 15 , wherein the source of at least a second component is adsorbed to the surface of the plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages of the mixing device. 
     
     
         18 . A mixer adapter having an inlet adapted to be coupled to the source of at least a first component and an outlet, the mixer adapter comprising:
 at least one mixing device and a source of at least a second component disposed between the inlet and the outlet,   the at least one mixing device comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough,   the at least one mixing device having physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity.   
     
     
         19 . The mixer adapter of  claim 18 , comprising a barrier and the at least one mixing device, the barrier and the at least one mixing device spaced from each other along a passageway between the inlet and the outlet to define a volume therebetween with the source of at least a second component disposed in the volume. 
     
     
         20 . The mixer adapter of  claim 18 , comprising a single mixing device with the source of at least a second component immobilized therein.